What do you think?
Rate this book
Paladin and Necromancer
Seven years ago, a Paladin married a Necromancer. It didn’t seem like a big deal back then, seeing as the world was ending.
For better or worse, humanity survived. The extraplanar enemy was repelled, and the rifts in the Multiverse were patched up.
In the ruins of the realm’s devastation, humanity recovered and rebuilt. Stuck in an uneasy marriage, Kassander and Silver couldn’t be less enthusiastic about the prospect.
Perhaps it’s for the best that a noble house is slaughtered in what looks like a wine-soaked demonic ritual. At least solving crimes gives Kass and Silver something to do.
Together, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the multiverse and its deities – and, most importantly, their already fragile marriage.
A dark fantasy mystery-romance.
Paladin and Necromancer is a dark fantasy adventure packed with friendship and romance. You'll love Paladin and Necromancer if you're looking
For better or worse, humanity survived. The extraplanar enemy was repelled, and the rifts in the Multiverse were patched up.
In the ruins of the realm’s devastation, humanity recovered and rebuilt. Stuck in an uneasy marriage, Kassander and Silver couldn’t be less enthusiastic about the prospect.
Perhaps it’s for the best that a noble house is slaughtered in what looks like a wine-soaked demonic ritual. At least solving crimes gives Kass and Silver something to do.
Together, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the multiverse and its deities – and, most importantly, their already fragile marriage.
A dark fantasy mystery-romance.
Paladin and Necromancer is a dark fantasy adventure packed with friendship and romance. You'll love Paladin and Necromancer if you're looking
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2023
35 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Miller
5 books80 followersAdrienne Miller writes in the genre of Dark Fantasy; combining beautiful aesthetics with existential dread. Her stories feature complex romances, found family dynamics, and storylines centred on world mysteries.
She has grown up with both classic and new Fantasy, from Michael Moorcok's Eternal Hero series, Michael's Scott's "Thraxas" magical detective romps, to quiet and heart-felt Science-Fantasy by Becky Chambers.
The Travelling City is inspired by her love for the imaginative worlds of old-school role-playing games like Planescape Torment and the intricate character work of urban fantasy authors like Holly Black.
She has grown up with both classic and new Fantasy, from Michael Moorcok's Eternal Hero series, Michael's Scott's "Thraxas" magical detective romps, to quiet and heart-felt Science-Fantasy by Becky Chambers.
The Travelling City is inspired by her love for the imaginative worlds of old-school role-playing games like Planescape Torment and the intricate character work of urban fantasy authors like Holly Black.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 8, 2023
I was offered an ARC in return for an honest review.
.
Paladin & Necromancer is the book I never knew I needed. It reveals things I never knew I was missing in other books!
The story centres around the Paladin Kassander and his wife Silver, a Mage of Necromancy.
The world is recovering from a war that started when extraplanar rifts were opened throughout the lands. The war was long, brutal and was narrowly won.
Not only coping with the post war trauma and the mental and physical scars it caused, the relationship between Kass and Silver could be described as strained at best. Divine worship often does not smile on necromancy.
When a conspiracy is uncovered and everything is called into question Kass & Silver are forced to battle both mental and physical demons to discover the truth.
This book was Everything!
*Mature Main Characters
*A strained and complicated relationship between the FMC & MMC
*A realistic and honest portrayal of the struggles of being forced to question everything you know
*The pain of loving someone when circumstances change and everything tells you that you shouldn't
*Representation of Trauma both Physical & Mental.
*Representation of Neurodivergence & LGBTQIA+
This book is Original, Honest and Genuine. The story flowed seamlessly and although there was a lot happening it was not overwhelming or hard to follow.
There were impossible choices, questioning authority and theology.
The plot twists kept me guessing up until the very end.
If you're looking for a fantasy that is heavy on story but not heavy to read and you like authentic, believeable characters with a roller-coaster storyline then this is your book.
.
Paladin & Necromancer is the book I never knew I needed. It reveals things I never knew I was missing in other books!
The story centres around the Paladin Kassander and his wife Silver, a Mage of Necromancy.
The world is recovering from a war that started when extraplanar rifts were opened throughout the lands. The war was long, brutal and was narrowly won.
Not only coping with the post war trauma and the mental and physical scars it caused, the relationship between Kass and Silver could be described as strained at best. Divine worship often does not smile on necromancy.
When a conspiracy is uncovered and everything is called into question Kass & Silver are forced to battle both mental and physical demons to discover the truth.
This book was Everything!
*Mature Main Characters
*A strained and complicated relationship between the FMC & MMC
*A realistic and honest portrayal of the struggles of being forced to question everything you know
*The pain of loving someone when circumstances change and everything tells you that you shouldn't
*Representation of Trauma both Physical & Mental.
*Representation of Neurodivergence & LGBTQIA+
This book is Original, Honest and Genuine. The story flowed seamlessly and although there was a lot happening it was not overwhelming or hard to follow.
There were impossible choices, questioning authority and theology.
The plot twists kept me guessing up until the very end.
If you're looking for a fantasy that is heavy on story but not heavy to read and you like authentic, believeable characters with a roller-coaster storyline then this is your book.
November 27, 2024
3.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I think that "a dark fantasy mystery-romance" tells you almost all you need to know about the book, but there are a couple more things to add:
1) disability and mental health rep. One of the MCs is in a wheelchair and there is a lot of PTSD going around, seeing that our characters barely survived a war that devastated the reign. They all are war heroes so they had a big role in the war and now they are trying to build their lives back.
2) the humor. There is a subtle humor in the writing of the author and it hooked me up from the beginning! I loved it!
3) we have a married couple (and that's not a thing you find often!) and they are having problems. Big problems. (And I appreciated this part too. Sure, I wasn't happy to see Silver and Kass miserable, and I think that it was a bit one-sided in this part. Mind me, I was all team Silver and I was ready to scroll Kass, but I think it was one-sided. I didn't mind at all, but it's there)
Anyway, I will be back with something more, probably. I enjoyed this book quite a lot, because it has good characters and an interesting plot. I was hoping for something a tad different from the ending, but only because these characters grew on me and all I want is to see them happy and safe. That said, I am happy to have read this book and now I am waiting for the sequel!
Thanks to NetGalley and the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I think that "a dark fantasy mystery-romance" tells you almost all you need to know about the book, but there are a couple more things to add:
1) disability and mental health rep. One of the MCs is in a wheelchair and there is a lot of PTSD going around, seeing that our characters barely survived a war that devastated the reign. They all are war heroes so they had a big role in the war and now they are trying to build their lives back.
2) the humor. There is a subtle humor in the writing of the author and it hooked me up from the beginning! I loved it!
3) we have a married couple (and that's not a thing you find often!) and they are having problems. Big problems. (And I appreciated this part too. Sure, I wasn't happy to see Silver and Kass miserable, and I think that it was a bit one-sided in this part. Mind me, I was all team Silver and I was ready to scroll Kass, but I think it was one-sided. I didn't mind at all, but it's there)
Anyway, I will be back with something more, probably. I enjoyed this book quite a lot, because it has good characters and an interesting plot. I was hoping for something a tad different from the ending, but only because these characters grew on me and all I want is to see them happy and safe. That said, I am happy to have read this book and now I am waiting for the sequel!
July 27, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you netgalley for giving me ARC access!
I loooved this book!! I think seeing the other side of a whirlwind war romance is such a fun and interesting slant to a fantasy romance novel, and following the lives of characters who lived through hell and are now trying to rebuild is my jam.
Loved the imagery, the depth of emotions we could feel in the MC, everything felt vivid and true to real human emotions. I cried, I laughed. Very satisfying ending and finale arc even with setting up a series and I am very excited to see what comes next in this series.
Okay for some loving feedback and the reason it's a 4.5 instead of a 5, there were a good amount of editing mistakes throughout and especially in the back half of the book, that just need to be gone through one more time before final printing (which I'm sure it will). This is so silly but three of the side characters we see a lot of in the book all have names that start with A and it just made life harder than it needed to be for me 😭 I think Amaya to Maya and Andrea to Drea would be simple and help keep characters a bit more distinct when we're first meeting them and in scenes with a lot of action and movement. Also, the title doesn't do it justice it sounds like it's going to be a silly dnd supplement and this book is a beautiful journey of what love truly means to the point of following someone through the multiverse. I have no recommendations for a better title I just think it deserves one.
Okay this book is great and I will be purchasing a physical copy when it releases and I am requiring all my friends who love fantasy and tragic romance to read it as well.
Thank you netgalley for giving me ARC access!
I loooved this book!! I think seeing the other side of a whirlwind war romance is such a fun and interesting slant to a fantasy romance novel, and following the lives of characters who lived through hell and are now trying to rebuild is my jam.
Loved the imagery, the depth of emotions we could feel in the MC, everything felt vivid and true to real human emotions. I cried, I laughed. Very satisfying ending and finale arc even with setting up a series and I am very excited to see what comes next in this series.
Okay for some loving feedback and the reason it's a 4.5 instead of a 5, there were a good amount of editing mistakes throughout and especially in the back half of the book, that just need to be gone through one more time before final printing (which I'm sure it will). This is so silly but three of the side characters we see a lot of in the book all have names that start with A and it just made life harder than it needed to be for me 😭 I think Amaya to Maya and Andrea to Drea would be simple and help keep characters a bit more distinct when we're first meeting them and in scenes with a lot of action and movement. Also, the title doesn't do it justice it sounds like it's going to be a silly dnd supplement and this book is a beautiful journey of what love truly means to the point of following someone through the multiverse. I have no recommendations for a better title I just think it deserves one.
Okay this book is great and I will be purchasing a physical copy when it releases and I am requiring all my friends who love fantasy and tragic romance to read it as well.
November 18, 2023
Flawed MCs ✔
Disability Rep ✔
Mental Health Rep ✔
LGBTQIA+ Rep ✔
Dual POV ✔
This book is set after the war which both our main characters fought in and have suffered in some way from it. We have Silver our mage who specialises in necromancy, she is also in a wheelchair and has a skeletal hand. Kass is our Paladin, he has anxiety and is a follower of God Five who doesn't look to kindly on necromancy. This provides a strained relationship between our two married MCs.
Although this is set after the war we get flashbacks at various points throughout the story that take us back to what happened during the war and our MCs met. I love Silver as a character she is brave, sarcastic and knows what she is doing. You can also see the hurt she is going through as she loves Kass but they are opposing views on some matters. This book answers big questions about faith, about choosing between faith and who you love and also about questioning your faith.
Kass is an interesting character, he has so many people relying on him and he has many inner turmoil. I appreciate how realistic the anxiety rep was, and how true it would be for these characters to have after effects as they were in a war that lasted a while. They went through hardships and struggles, death and destruction it was bound to take a toll. This book has characters which are flawed, broken and sometimes unlikeable. But that makes me love it more, its realistic and for a story that takes on heavy topics, it is not a heavy read.
The pacing in this book is great, Its like a medium pace, it keeps you interested and the battles are great. The author doesn't rush and lets you enjoy each scene without it dragging. This is great for fans of DND but I would say that most people will enjoy this. Its a story about friends, family and saving the day who doesn't love that. This book will grab you, throw you into this magical world for 396 pages then throw you out begging for more. I really hope this is the start of a series as I need more Kass and Silver.
A massive thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC as this was an amazing story and I will continue to shout about it for everyone to hear as it feels like a refreshing fantasy book.
Disability Rep ✔
Mental Health Rep ✔
LGBTQIA+ Rep ✔
Dual POV ✔
This book is set after the war which both our main characters fought in and have suffered in some way from it. We have Silver our mage who specialises in necromancy, she is also in a wheelchair and has a skeletal hand. Kass is our Paladin, he has anxiety and is a follower of God Five who doesn't look to kindly on necromancy. This provides a strained relationship between our two married MCs.
Although this is set after the war we get flashbacks at various points throughout the story that take us back to what happened during the war and our MCs met. I love Silver as a character she is brave, sarcastic and knows what she is doing. You can also see the hurt she is going through as she loves Kass but they are opposing views on some matters. This book answers big questions about faith, about choosing between faith and who you love and also about questioning your faith.
Kass is an interesting character, he has so many people relying on him and he has many inner turmoil. I appreciate how realistic the anxiety rep was, and how true it would be for these characters to have after effects as they were in a war that lasted a while. They went through hardships and struggles, death and destruction it was bound to take a toll. This book has characters which are flawed, broken and sometimes unlikeable. But that makes me love it more, its realistic and for a story that takes on heavy topics, it is not a heavy read.
The pacing in this book is great, Its like a medium pace, it keeps you interested and the battles are great. The author doesn't rush and lets you enjoy each scene without it dragging. This is great for fans of DND but I would say that most people will enjoy this. Its a story about friends, family and saving the day who doesn't love that. This book will grab you, throw you into this magical world for 396 pages then throw you out begging for more. I really hope this is the start of a series as I need more Kass and Silver.
A massive thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC as this was an amazing story and I will continue to shout about it for everyone to hear as it feels like a refreshing fantasy book.
December 2, 2023
Review: this book is unlike any I’ve ever read as the main characters are years into a marriage, older and have already lived through a massive war. It showcases complex relationships between people, other planes of existence, magic, and Gods,
I really liked how we got flashbacks to pivotal moments in the past that give us understanding of the story and how our characters developed.
I particularly liked the character of Kass, the representation of his anxiety attacks and loyalty to those around him felt so relatable. He was constantly worrying for the people in his life and that sometimes caused him to stand in his own way. I really appreciated how we got to see the majority of the current story through his eyes and see how he grapples with the doubts in his religion that he begins to have. He’s a big softie knight who is also incredibly gifted at combat, what else could you ask for?
Silver was extremely complex, and I feel as though Adrienne did a great job of showing us her story and how magic is such an integral part of her existence. I also think that the representation of a character who has been through so much can still hold so much power! She’s such a bad ass!!
I also thought that the side characters were well developed and I did not see the major twists coming!
Overall, I would highly suggest you check out this book upon its release! It is great if you are looking for a mysterious adventure, a relationship focused book(friendships, marriage,religious), and so many fantastical worlds!
Favorite Quotes: “Let me make it better. Let me make it worse. Let me undo you in a thousand ways. Let me corrupt your very soul as you cry out for me to keep touching you.”
“Silver will tear them apart with fire and magic, and revenge will be the only justification she needs to kill whoever gets in her way.”
Thank you to Adrienne for the arc in exchange for a honest review.
I really liked how we got flashbacks to pivotal moments in the past that give us understanding of the story and how our characters developed.
I particularly liked the character of Kass, the representation of his anxiety attacks and loyalty to those around him felt so relatable. He was constantly worrying for the people in his life and that sometimes caused him to stand in his own way. I really appreciated how we got to see the majority of the current story through his eyes and see how he grapples with the doubts in his religion that he begins to have. He’s a big softie knight who is also incredibly gifted at combat, what else could you ask for?
Silver was extremely complex, and I feel as though Adrienne did a great job of showing us her story and how magic is such an integral part of her existence. I also think that the representation of a character who has been through so much can still hold so much power! She’s such a bad ass!!
I also thought that the side characters were well developed and I did not see the major twists coming!
Overall, I would highly suggest you check out this book upon its release! It is great if you are looking for a mysterious adventure, a relationship focused book(friendships, marriage,religious), and so many fantastical worlds!
Favorite Quotes: “Let me make it better. Let me make it worse. Let me undo you in a thousand ways. Let me corrupt your very soul as you cry out for me to keep touching you.”
“Silver will tear them apart with fire and magic, and revenge will be the only justification she needs to kill whoever gets in her way.”
Thank you to Adrienne for the arc in exchange for a honest review.
November 12, 2023
Paladin and Necromancer is a spellbinding journey that captivated me from the first page, leaving me eagerly turning each page for more. In a world recovering from the haunting echoes of war, where scars are etched not only on the land but also on the very souls of its people, author introduces us to Kass and Silver. As the dust of conflict settles, the true strength of their relationship is unveiled, tested by the aftermath of destruction. Through the dual perspectives, I could feel the love that still burns bright between them, even when everything else seems to be falling apart.
What I truly appreciate about this book is its authenticity. The characters, Kass and Silver, are not your typical fantasy heroes. They’re mature, flawed, and oh-so-real. The world-building of this book is vivid, and the plot twists are thrilling.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC, and I can’t thank the author enough for that opportunity🫶🏼 I’ll admit, this isn’t the typical book I’d usually pick up, and I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did! A massive round of applause to the author for creating a tale that grabs readers like me who might not have expected to be so captivated🤩
What I truly appreciate about this book is its authenticity. The characters, Kass and Silver, are not your typical fantasy heroes. They’re mature, flawed, and oh-so-real. The world-building of this book is vivid, and the plot twists are thrilling.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC, and I can’t thank the author enough for that opportunity🫶🏼 I’ll admit, this isn’t the typical book I’d usually pick up, and I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did! A massive round of applause to the author for creating a tale that grabs readers like me who might not have expected to be so captivated🤩
August 5, 2024
Kass is a ptsd ridden divine Paladin, and Silver is a necromancer left wheelchair bound after the war. This book was unlike anything I’ve read before, in a good way! The war and conflict has already come and gone, and the world is fractured. Kass and Silver married after falling in love on the front lines, and now, years later, they are struggling to keep afloat. The FMC is disabled and disillusioned after she gave everything to end the war. The MMC is a soldier who is struggling between faithfulness to his god, and his love of his wife. When someone sends demon assassins through the multiverse to target war heroes, Kass and Silver have to work together to save the realm again.
This book has a bit of everything I love to see, and so many new elements that really sucked me in. The LGBTQ rep, disability rep, second chance romance, marriage in trouble, multiverse, mental health rep, and the theological debates were all well done and handled gently.
I took off one star from my rating because I felt like the end of the book (which has a fantastic plot twist) was left a little rushed and open. I think if this book ever gets a sequel I would give it 5 stars! I just need a bit more closure at the end.
Overall I was thrilled with this book. I’m definitely going to be reading more from this author!
This book has a bit of everything I love to see, and so many new elements that really sucked me in. The LGBTQ rep, disability rep, second chance romance, marriage in trouble, multiverse, mental health rep, and the theological debates were all well done and handled gently.
I took off one star from my rating because I felt like the end of the book (which has a fantastic plot twist) was left a little rushed and open. I think if this book ever gets a sequel I would give it 5 stars! I just need a bit more closure at the end.
Overall I was thrilled with this book. I’m definitely going to be reading more from this author!
December 10, 2023
I was lucky enough to get an arc of Paladin and Necromancer and I’m so glad I did. This book was really good. The only downside for me was the present tense, I’m one of those people that really don’t like present tense. It’s a personal preference thing not a detractor from the story but I like it when someone warns me of the present tense in books so I’m mentioning it.
The story follows the Paladin Kass and his necromancer wife Silver. I loved these characters. They felt real because they weren’t perfect. They had past trauma, made decisions that could be considered selfish, they have wants and needs and doubts. Our side characters were fleshed out as well and interesting in their own right.
The story addresses some big concepts that are an interesting thought process to read. Without being bogged down in them, the story keeps going and I didn’t feel it dragged anywhere. I’m not a religious person at all so the concept of faith is pretty foreign to me. It’s not something I’m really interested in. This book made me care about Kass’s faith, I was invested. How do you choose between your religion, your faith and the one you love? The thought process to why Kass and each of his squires worships their god was really intriguing.
As always though the magic was my favourite part. The world Miller has created was fantastic. The magic infused with the fabric of reality, how silver used the energies of peoples souls to perform her magic. So good.
I highly recommend this one for fans of fantasy, Dungeons and dragons, even romance, I was cheering for Kass and Silver’s relationship all the way through. I was a little unsure about the ending but the more I think on it the more I’m fine with it and maybe there will be a book 2? A girl can hope.
The story follows the Paladin Kass and his necromancer wife Silver. I loved these characters. They felt real because they weren’t perfect. They had past trauma, made decisions that could be considered selfish, they have wants and needs and doubts. Our side characters were fleshed out as well and interesting in their own right.
The story addresses some big concepts that are an interesting thought process to read. Without being bogged down in them, the story keeps going and I didn’t feel it dragged anywhere. I’m not a religious person at all so the concept of faith is pretty foreign to me. It’s not something I’m really interested in. This book made me care about Kass’s faith, I was invested. How do you choose between your religion, your faith and the one you love? The thought process to why Kass and each of his squires worships their god was really intriguing.
As always though the magic was my favourite part. The world Miller has created was fantastic. The magic infused with the fabric of reality, how silver used the energies of peoples souls to perform her magic. So good.
I highly recommend this one for fans of fantasy, Dungeons and dragons, even romance, I was cheering for Kass and Silver’s relationship all the way through. I was a little unsure about the ending but the more I think on it the more I’m fine with it and maybe there will be a book 2? A girl can hope.
November 30, 2023
Paladin and Necromancer
By Adrienne Miller
Most of my reviews tend to be short and to the point, but I want to spend a little more time on this one because I think it has earned it.
This is a book that tackles some big issues without becoming trite or taking an easy way out in the end.
We meet our two main characters at the end of a war. Both are damaged both physically and mentally. And both have made some decisions that have broken their marriage apart. This is a different take on “is love enough” that I haven’t really seen before. Because it’s established that they love each other deeply. They’re married, after all. And they keep delaying addressing this overhanging issue because of the consequences that would come from making a decision.
And what does that issue entail? Just the tiny issue of Gods, true justice, and free will.
Sounding heavy? Because while it tackles all of this and more, it really doesn’t feel crazy heavy. Miller gets the balance just right. Our main characters have great personalities and there is lots of witty humour and touching moments. And it’s all wrapped up in a cool multiversal mystery.
Honestly, I could go on but you should just go read it yourselves.
Thanks to @adrienne_miller_author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
By Adrienne Miller
Most of my reviews tend to be short and to the point, but I want to spend a little more time on this one because I think it has earned it.
This is a book that tackles some big issues without becoming trite or taking an easy way out in the end.
We meet our two main characters at the end of a war. Both are damaged both physically and mentally. And both have made some decisions that have broken their marriage apart. This is a different take on “is love enough” that I haven’t really seen before. Because it’s established that they love each other deeply. They’re married, after all. And they keep delaying addressing this overhanging issue because of the consequences that would come from making a decision.
And what does that issue entail? Just the tiny issue of Gods, true justice, and free will.
Sounding heavy? Because while it tackles all of this and more, it really doesn’t feel crazy heavy. Miller gets the balance just right. Our main characters have great personalities and there is lots of witty humour and touching moments. And it’s all wrapped up in a cool multiversal mystery.
Honestly, I could go on but you should just go read it yourselves.
Thanks to @adrienne_miller_author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2023
As a reader, there are books I enjoy reading because they're easy escapism.
Then there are the books I love reading that help me delve into my literary brain and question elements of the world we live in, Paladin amd Necromancer is the latter.
Miller has done a fantastic job writing and exploring a range of topics and doesn't back away from these. A story line which I thoroughly enjoyed, with the right amount of character building throughout.
The characters provide an array of personalities on the page, and even the ones I liked the most had moments where I was questioning their likability.
I found myself invested in Kass and Silver's relationship, the strained nature of it and the questions faced with choosing faith vs love.
I enjoyed the action on the pages and found the book to be just the right pace for me.
An enjoyable read overall and I do hope there will be more of this world and its characters to enjoy.
Thank you to the author for the ARC and a chance to leave an honest review
Then there are the books I love reading that help me delve into my literary brain and question elements of the world we live in, Paladin amd Necromancer is the latter.
Miller has done a fantastic job writing and exploring a range of topics and doesn't back away from these. A story line which I thoroughly enjoyed, with the right amount of character building throughout.
The characters provide an array of personalities on the page, and even the ones I liked the most had moments where I was questioning their likability.
I found myself invested in Kass and Silver's relationship, the strained nature of it and the questions faced with choosing faith vs love.
I enjoyed the action on the pages and found the book to be just the right pace for me.
An enjoyable read overall and I do hope there will be more of this world and its characters to enjoy.
Thank you to the author for the ARC and a chance to leave an honest review
August 20, 2025
I could not stop listening to this book it was so good!
I feel like this book has everything I could want. It’s has amazing characters, magic, a multiverse, gods, flashbacks and it’s also DnD and LitRPG inspired.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is how the main characters are already married and older instead of being in their late teens/early twenties which is a breath of fresh air. Usually the characters are always really young and I find it hard to connect with them but I didn’t have that problem here. Not only are they just amazing characters but they feel real is that makes sense?
If you like DnD, LitRPG and a character driven story full of mystery, consequences and friendships then you should definitely check this out, I really enjoyed it and I will be grabbing book 2 as soon as I can!
Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book.
“I’ll go where I reckon the demon’s heading.” Kass replies, equally testy. “Where?” “None of your fucking business. Not ‘till I’ve confirmed my suspicions.”
“Silver,” Kass says slowly. “I don’t know how to tell you this in a way that will get through to you. I. Am. Not. Digging. Up. A. Corpse. For. You.”
“Silver will tear them apart with fire and magic, and revenge will be the only justification she needs to kill whoever gets in her way.”
I feel like this book has everything I could want. It’s has amazing characters, magic, a multiverse, gods, flashbacks and it’s also DnD and LitRPG inspired.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is how the main characters are already married and older instead of being in their late teens/early twenties which is a breath of fresh air. Usually the characters are always really young and I find it hard to connect with them but I didn’t have that problem here. Not only are they just amazing characters but they feel real is that makes sense?
If you like DnD, LitRPG and a character driven story full of mystery, consequences and friendships then you should definitely check this out, I really enjoyed it and I will be grabbing book 2 as soon as I can!
Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book.
“I’ll go where I reckon the demon’s heading.” Kass replies, equally testy. “Where?” “None of your fucking business. Not ‘till I’ve confirmed my suspicions.”
“Silver,” Kass says slowly. “I don’t know how to tell you this in a way that will get through to you. I. Am. Not. Digging. Up. A. Corpse. For. You.”
“Silver will tear them apart with fire and magic, and revenge will be the only justification she needs to kill whoever gets in her way.”
October 15, 2025
Kass is paladin of the god named Five and his wife Silver is a necromancer. Five hates necromancy, which creates a lot of problems. They both love each other and don't want a divorce. Neither do they want to stop being a paladin or a necromancer respectively. They're both traumatized (both physically and mentally) from the war that happened before the book started. Their relationship is core of the book. We need more romantacy about married couples if you ask me.
"He can feel his temper boiling from overcooked anxiety, but she moved her legs for him, and he knows that it hurts her to do that. So, he sits down, just for a moment, he tells himself."
Or and there are three demons on the loose. I liked the mystery and its solution. For the most part though I'd prefer a less violent method. All the characters are complicated three-dimensional people.
The book is also really funny. Reminds me of Terry Pratchett.
Needless to say I want to read more books by this author.
"He can feel his temper boiling from overcooked anxiety, but she moved her legs for him, and he knows that it hurts her to do that. So, he sits down, just for a moment, he tells himself."
Or and there are three demons on the loose. I liked the mystery and its solution. For the most part though I'd prefer a less violent method. All the characters are complicated three-dimensional people.
The book is also really funny. Reminds me of Terry Pratchett.
Needless to say I want to read more books by this author.
May 9, 2025
I love that the FMC is disabled and is an ambulatory wheelchair user! Bonus points because they is a bad*ss necromancer!
Although at the beginning her relationship with Kass is sad, but even with their differences they are cordial to each other most of the time.
I’ve read hundreds of books, and this is the first one to have a non binary person represented in it. I am over the moon about this book having both non-binary characters and a powerful disabled wheelchair using FMC! Chef’s kiss to the author.
Its not often a book catches me off guard but the plot twists are good!
So many realms and so many rifts, so many different “demons” I love the variety in this book, this book has more variety than any other I’ve read previously. Honestly at this point the only things missing are actual vampires and shifters.
Although at the beginning her relationship with Kass is sad, but even with their differences they are cordial to each other most of the time.
I’ve read hundreds of books, and this is the first one to have a non binary person represented in it. I am over the moon about this book having both non-binary characters and a powerful disabled wheelchair using FMC! Chef’s kiss to the author.
Its not often a book catches me off guard but the plot twists are good!
So many realms and so many rifts, so many different “demons” I love the variety in this book, this book has more variety than any other I’ve read previously. Honestly at this point the only things missing are actual vampires and shifters.
July 21, 2024
Warning, Spoilers Ahead:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It gave me a lot of Dungeons and Dragons vibes and fleshed out its setting without being exhaustive. I enjoyed seeing more mature characters working through their individual issues and trauma, but wish there was more acknowledgement at the end of the story for the pressure Silver puts on Kass. He often acknowledged how he has pressured her and reflected on it quite a bit by the end of the novel, but didn't go both ways as much as I was hoping for.
One thing that stuck out to me a LOT was the similarities between this story and Dragon Age: Inquisition (the video game). This wasn't a negative for me and I liked the parallels, but it made me wonder if it was coincidence or if the author is a fan of the games. Between the rifts, the bald mage ending up as the antagonist, and the names Pride and Anders appearing in the book there was quite a bit of nostalgia for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for reviewing it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It gave me a lot of Dungeons and Dragons vibes and fleshed out its setting without being exhaustive. I enjoyed seeing more mature characters working through their individual issues and trauma, but wish there was more acknowledgement at the end of the story for the pressure Silver puts on Kass. He often acknowledged how he has pressured her and reflected on it quite a bit by the end of the novel, but didn't go both ways as much as I was hoping for.
One thing that stuck out to me a LOT was the similarities between this story and Dragon Age: Inquisition (the video game). This wasn't a negative for me and I liked the parallels, but it made me wonder if it was coincidence or if the author is a fan of the games. Between the rifts, the bald mage ending up as the antagonist, and the names Pride and Anders appearing in the book there was quite a bit of nostalgia for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for reviewing it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
3.5 Stars ⭐️
I want to thank the author first for sending me the ARC of Paladin and Necromancer. This story is about a married couple investigating who sent demons into their Multiverse. Silver is a Necromancer, and Kassander a Paladin. Two who shouldn’t be together perhaps? This is a story about a struggle of faith and love.
This story will be perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons. It is inclusive in terms of characters. Representation includes that of a physically disabled main character, mental health, LGBTQIA+. I felt that the characters were easy to like, but I would’ve liked them to have a bit more depth, mainly the side characters. It has dual point of views. There are flashbacks. It’s dark, dry at times, and grim. The relationship between Silver and Kass is extremely complex. The worldbuilding is intriguing, I’ll be interested to see how the saga plays out. I did enjoy the story, however I found it didn’t pull me in as much as I wanted it to. It was a bit predictable and I think that’s why it fell a bit flat for me personally.
I want to thank the author first for sending me the ARC of Paladin and Necromancer. This story is about a married couple investigating who sent demons into their Multiverse. Silver is a Necromancer, and Kassander a Paladin. Two who shouldn’t be together perhaps? This is a story about a struggle of faith and love.
This story will be perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons. It is inclusive in terms of characters. Representation includes that of a physically disabled main character, mental health, LGBTQIA+. I felt that the characters were easy to like, but I would’ve liked them to have a bit more depth, mainly the side characters. It has dual point of views. There are flashbacks. It’s dark, dry at times, and grim. The relationship between Silver and Kass is extremely complex. The worldbuilding is intriguing, I’ll be interested to see how the saga plays out. I did enjoy the story, however I found it didn’t pull me in as much as I wanted it to. It was a bit predictable and I think that’s why it fell a bit flat for me personally.
December 28, 2023
This was a fantastic book from start to finish. Diverse and immersive, I could feel the world around me as I read.
I love stories that are driven by the characters, and this definitely flows with the heart of Kass, Silver, and their friends.
I recommend for anyone that loves fantasy, LGBTQ+ characters, emotive storylines, and adventure.
I love stories that are driven by the characters, and this definitely flows with the heart of Kass, Silver, and their friends.
I recommend for anyone that loves fantasy, LGBTQ+ characters, emotive storylines, and adventure.
March 26, 2025
This is a great book which I really enjoyed reading. The different perspectives of the main characters was really interesting and you almost felt for them with the struggles they both faced. Another great element of the book is the great representation over lgbtq and disabled characters which is lovely to see!
Really looking forward to the next novel
Really looking forward to the next novel
January 5, 2024
I read this book in one day. I cannot emphasise how much I enjoyed it. Realistic portrayal of an adult relationship, an ambulatory wheelchair user.... and I have never felt more seen than in Amaya in a certain scene! I love how this book explored the impact of trauma whilst still being funny and exploring an interesting world. The wit and quirks of certain scenes were almost reminiscent of a Pratchett-esque writing style.
I will be recommending this book to my DnD group and many other people!
I will be recommending this book to my DnD group and many other people!
December 8, 2023
Obsessed
What do you do when the person you love wants you to give up the thing that means the most to you?
For Kass, that is his god Five. For Silver, that is her necromancy. The dead is Five’s realm and Silver keeps interfering in it, Kass is being punished by his god for his wife’s actions.
It’s been weeks since I have finished this book but I’m still obsessed with it. I need book 2 in my life!
The book is based on Dungeons and Dragons and I know absolutely nothing about DND. So even if you don’t or dislike it do not let you put it off reading it. 119 highlights later and I am obsessed and devastated to have finished this book. Go read it.
I am in love with Silver and Kass, how they originally fell in love and their present story. Kass’s relationship with his squires is amazing and I fully want Andrea and Allen together forever. The struggle between the characters own feelings and ideals to find a way to make them both align really endears you to each person. You feel every betrayal, tough decision and win. I really hope this story isn’t over as there are definitely a few loose ends that I need to know what happens to. Each character goes through their own journey but they are all perfectly tied together.
There are a few grammatical errors. Where they are I feel like it really brings out the authors own excitement at what’s happening in the plot but did bring me out of the story slightly.
What do you do when the person you love wants you to give up the thing that means the most to you?
For Kass, that is his god Five. For Silver, that is her necromancy. The dead is Five’s realm and Silver keeps interfering in it, Kass is being punished by his god for his wife’s actions.
It’s been weeks since I have finished this book but I’m still obsessed with it. I need book 2 in my life!
The book is based on Dungeons and Dragons and I know absolutely nothing about DND. So even if you don’t or dislike it do not let you put it off reading it. 119 highlights later and I am obsessed and devastated to have finished this book. Go read it.
I am in love with Silver and Kass, how they originally fell in love and their present story. Kass’s relationship with his squires is amazing and I fully want Andrea and Allen together forever. The struggle between the characters own feelings and ideals to find a way to make them both align really endears you to each person. You feel every betrayal, tough decision and win. I really hope this story isn’t over as there are definitely a few loose ends that I need to know what happens to. Each character goes through their own journey but they are all perfectly tied together.
There are a few grammatical errors. Where they are I feel like it really brings out the authors own excitement at what’s happening in the plot but did bring me out of the story slightly.
December 23, 2023
First of all thank you sooo much for the ARC copy of your new book!
I was drawn to Paladin and Necromancer because of the strong Dungeons and Dragons vibes it was giving off.
It centres on Kass who is a Paladin of Five and Silver who is a Necromancer. Five hates anything to do with undead and as such dislikes Silver. Kass feels his God’s disapproval of Silver as his wife.
The way they develop as characters and in their relationship is done so well. Their relationship is heartbreaking at the beginning, but I enjoyed Kass’ journey to understanding and accepting Silver as she is.
I love how you get flashbacks to during the war and would love a prequel to this with Melina, Derek and the rest of Kass and Silver’s friends. I also really want a follow up to find out what happens next.
Amaya, Allen and Andrea were great supporting characters and again would love to find out more about them….😂 basically I just want more of everything!
I was drawn to Paladin and Necromancer because of the strong Dungeons and Dragons vibes it was giving off.
It centres on Kass who is a Paladin of Five and Silver who is a Necromancer. Five hates anything to do with undead and as such dislikes Silver. Kass feels his God’s disapproval of Silver as his wife.
The way they develop as characters and in their relationship is done so well. Their relationship is heartbreaking at the beginning, but I enjoyed Kass’ journey to understanding and accepting Silver as she is.
I love how you get flashbacks to during the war and would love a prequel to this with Melina, Derek and the rest of Kass and Silver’s friends. I also really want a follow up to find out what happens next.
Amaya, Allen and Andrea were great supporting characters and again would love to find out more about them….😂 basically I just want more of everything!
August 22, 2024
If, like me, you were a fan of Miller's debut novel The Travelling City, you'll be thrilled to see that she has not lost her skill at writing witty dialogue, morally conflicted yet immensely lovable characters, and extremely well-realised and original world-building. Her depiction of a world struggling to get back to normalcy after a devastating cataclysm is stunningly realised. She does a great job infusing the setting with a keen sense of loss and anxiety, making the reader feel like the setting actually exists. The novel's humour and sharp wit should clash with this kind of setting, however, Miller handles it with a deft hand, so that the jokes never undermine the tragedy but rather emphasises it. The characters are well-written and diverse. I absolutely adored Kass. His crisis of faith feels more like what you would find in a literary novel rather than fantasy, and Miller depicts his moral conflict and character development beautifully.
Overall, a fantastic read!
Overall, a fantastic read!
December 22, 2023
a rollicking good read
A well paced story, with interesting characters and a unique structure. The push and pull of the central characters reflect the state of the world and enhance the tale.
A well paced story, with interesting characters and a unique structure. The push and pull of the central characters reflect the state of the world and enhance the tale.
December 8, 2023
Thanks to the author for the ARC. This was a great story. Kass and Silver were well drafted characters with interesting dynamics and tension of living with the decisions made in the past felt very realistic. I also enjoyed the murder mystery investigation and how that tied with the world building.
January 26, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of Paladin and Necromancer for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
While the author's previous novel, The Travelling City , is an exercise in psychedelia, Paladin and Necromancer opts for something completely different as it tellsboth a mystery and a romance story.
While people normally equate romance stories with a young pair of characters who meet and fall in love, this book is not that story. It isn’t about a meet cute; it isn’t about an oddly matched couple of characters finding love. Although the title plays on the dichotomy of a paladin and a necromancer, it instead focuses on the complexities of a mature relationship. The titular couple has been married for a number of years; their lives have taken a toll on their marriage, and their marriage has taken a toll on them.
Although written with a sense of humour, the romance is honest and doesn’t glamourise either of the protagonists. The characters feel real, neither of them perfect, yet they're relatable. Kass, the paladin, lives with anxiety, while Silver, the necromancer, is a wheelchair user. Not only does the book explore mental health and physical disabilities, it also includes non-binary characters and neurodivergency. It's wonderfully inclusive, and while it could look like a checklist of representation, it's entirely natural. These elements strengthen the characters, while the characters make the elements feel real.
Following the murder of a house of nobles, Kass and Silver work to uncover the mystery of what happened, leading them to a conspiracy. The book's reasonably long, but the plot and mystery aren’t particularly deep. They're engaging, but the book places its emphasis on Kass and Silver’s relationship more than its plot.
As different as this world and story are compared to The Travelling City, so too is the story’s presentation. Both books are of a similar length. While the earlier book feels longer than its page count, this feels much shorter. It’s sparsely written and doesn’t take the time to enmesh the reader in its world.
The setting is a mediaeval land similar to what you would find in a D&D game, but doesn’t feel rich or lived in. Silver uses a wheelchair and characters eat fast food, both of which didn’t exist in the period similar to the book’s setting. While mediaeval settings don’t need to mirror mediaeval times, the book doesn’t connect these disparate elements to its setting. The world and history are interesting and its use of the multiverse adds an entertaining element, but the world itself doesn’t feel rich, which took me out of the story.
Much of the writing is dedicated to the dialogue. The characters all have unique voices, and it's through the dialogue that most of its humour comes through. It works well and should entertain most readers. For all the comedy its banter elicits, the conversations don’t ring as true as they could. Despite this, the dialogue never undercuts the book’s heart and darkness.
First and foremost, this a story about its characters. Through them, it provides a romantic story that is both dark and humorous, filled with characters who feel like real people. While the character work is fantastic, the plot doesn’t come together as well. It's lightly written, and while it is entertaining, it doesn’t draw the reader in as well as it could.
My full review will be available on my website from 9 February 2024. To read it, and a host of other reviews, including The Travelling City, click here.
While the author's previous novel, The Travelling City , is an exercise in psychedelia, Paladin and Necromancer opts for something completely different as it tellsboth a mystery and a romance story.
While people normally equate romance stories with a young pair of characters who meet and fall in love, this book is not that story. It isn’t about a meet cute; it isn’t about an oddly matched couple of characters finding love. Although the title plays on the dichotomy of a paladin and a necromancer, it instead focuses on the complexities of a mature relationship. The titular couple has been married for a number of years; their lives have taken a toll on their marriage, and their marriage has taken a toll on them.
Although written with a sense of humour, the romance is honest and doesn’t glamourise either of the protagonists. The characters feel real, neither of them perfect, yet they're relatable. Kass, the paladin, lives with anxiety, while Silver, the necromancer, is a wheelchair user. Not only does the book explore mental health and physical disabilities, it also includes non-binary characters and neurodivergency. It's wonderfully inclusive, and while it could look like a checklist of representation, it's entirely natural. These elements strengthen the characters, while the characters make the elements feel real.
Following the murder of a house of nobles, Kass and Silver work to uncover the mystery of what happened, leading them to a conspiracy. The book's reasonably long, but the plot and mystery aren’t particularly deep. They're engaging, but the book places its emphasis on Kass and Silver’s relationship more than its plot.
As different as this world and story are compared to The Travelling City, so too is the story’s presentation. Both books are of a similar length. While the earlier book feels longer than its page count, this feels much shorter. It’s sparsely written and doesn’t take the time to enmesh the reader in its world.
The setting is a mediaeval land similar to what you would find in a D&D game, but doesn’t feel rich or lived in. Silver uses a wheelchair and characters eat fast food, both of which didn’t exist in the period similar to the book’s setting. While mediaeval settings don’t need to mirror mediaeval times, the book doesn’t connect these disparate elements to its setting. The world and history are interesting and its use of the multiverse adds an entertaining element, but the world itself doesn’t feel rich, which took me out of the story.
Much of the writing is dedicated to the dialogue. The characters all have unique voices, and it's through the dialogue that most of its humour comes through. It works well and should entertain most readers. For all the comedy its banter elicits, the conversations don’t ring as true as they could. Despite this, the dialogue never undercuts the book’s heart and darkness.
First and foremost, this a story about its characters. Through them, it provides a romantic story that is both dark and humorous, filled with characters who feel like real people. While the character work is fantastic, the plot doesn’t come together as well. It's lightly written, and while it is entertaining, it doesn’t draw the reader in as well as it could.
My full review will be available on my website from 9 February 2024. To read it, and a host of other reviews, including The Travelling City, click here.
September 21, 2025
Paladin and Necromancer is fantasy mystery with haphazard worldbuilding and an interesting premise that could have been handled better. Seven years previous to the story planar rifts began opening up and the “enemy” began pouring through with demonic armies and attacking “humanity.” (There is no mention of other countries or of an alliance of countries fighting off the attackers. Also, there’s only one religion and one culture.)
The titular Paladin and Necromancer is Kass, a paladin of Five (the gods don’t have names, just numbers for some reason) and Silver, who ended up going down the Necromantic path during the war. They are married, but their marriage is a less than happy one. Kass’ god is not happy about his continued marriage to Silver, and has been passive-aggressively inflicting petty allergic reactions that slowly escalate on Kass. This has led to conflict in their marriage that they are not able to resolve due to massive trauma and PTSD. (And having diametrically opposed moral systems.)
When demons start coming through the rifts, apparently bent on assassinating important figures from the war and the king, Kass and his wife end up investigating who is sending the demons. This investigation leads them to other planes where they discover among other things, Magic Kaminoans. (The genetic engineering slave traders from the Star Wars franchise, who created the clone troopers.)
My beefs with the worldbuilding kept me from finding much interest in the plot. The writer does not know how polytheism works. This is not surprising, since this book has been described as “like a D&D campaign,” but it’s particularly egregious here because the big existential horror b-plot is “what if the gods were also on the enemy’s side?” This is apparently such an unthinkable thought that all the characters are shocked by it.
In a polytheistic system, everyone is very, very aware that a god’s favor might shift at any moment, for any reason. They would not be very surprised at the idea that the gods were also with “the enemy.” Syncretism is also very much a thing. As an example, the Romans tended to go “Well, this god is obviously actually Mars, and this god is actually Mercury!” They also tended to collect gods like they were Pokemon. (Though I might let the characters off slightly because apparently “the enemy” is visibly non-human.)
The book gets some points for some subtle non-binary representation in that one of Kass’ squires is referred to consistently as “them/they” but the weird mix of technological and social advancement and the kind of “crapsack medieval social system and tech level” setting that you see in in certain fantasy franchises is jarring. (I solemnly swear that the “medieval” period was not as brown and rolled in mud as Hollywood apparently thinks.)
The premise and the characters were not enough to hold my interest in the plot or characters interactions which is a shame, since I feel the concept could have been an interesting one. (I was largely drawn to the book because of The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, because the lead characters are essentially also a necromancer and a paladin solving a really convoluted case fic. But this was not that.)
This review is based on a galley provided by NetGalley.
The titular Paladin and Necromancer is Kass, a paladin of Five (the gods don’t have names, just numbers for some reason) and Silver, who ended up going down the Necromantic path during the war. They are married, but their marriage is a less than happy one. Kass’ god is not happy about his continued marriage to Silver, and has been passive-aggressively inflicting petty allergic reactions that slowly escalate on Kass. This has led to conflict in their marriage that they are not able to resolve due to massive trauma and PTSD. (And having diametrically opposed moral systems.)
When demons start coming through the rifts, apparently bent on assassinating important figures from the war and the king, Kass and his wife end up investigating who is sending the demons. This investigation leads them to other planes where they discover among other things, Magic Kaminoans. (The genetic engineering slave traders from the Star Wars franchise, who created the clone troopers.)
My beefs with the worldbuilding kept me from finding much interest in the plot. The writer does not know how polytheism works. This is not surprising, since this book has been described as “like a D&D campaign,” but it’s particularly egregious here because the big existential horror b-plot is “what if the gods were also on the enemy’s side?” This is apparently such an unthinkable thought that all the characters are shocked by it.
In a polytheistic system, everyone is very, very aware that a god’s favor might shift at any moment, for any reason. They would not be very surprised at the idea that the gods were also with “the enemy.” Syncretism is also very much a thing. As an example, the Romans tended to go “Well, this god is obviously actually Mars, and this god is actually Mercury!” They also tended to collect gods like they were Pokemon. (Though I might let the characters off slightly because apparently “the enemy” is visibly non-human.)
The book gets some points for some subtle non-binary representation in that one of Kass’ squires is referred to consistently as “them/they” but the weird mix of technological and social advancement and the kind of “crapsack medieval social system and tech level” setting that you see in in certain fantasy franchises is jarring. (I solemnly swear that the “medieval” period was not as brown and rolled in mud as Hollywood apparently thinks.)
The premise and the characters were not enough to hold my interest in the plot or characters interactions which is a shame, since I feel the concept could have been an interesting one. (I was largely drawn to the book because of The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, because the lead characters are essentially also a necromancer and a paladin solving a really convoluted case fic. But this was not that.)
This review is based on a galley provided by NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2025
Paladin and Necromancer by Adrienne Miller
Man I wish I could remember where I saw this book suggested because my goodness I loved this!!
We follow Kass (paladin) and Silver (necromancer) as they attempt to navigate their post wars lives and relationship.
Adrienne has done a fantastic job with these books. The world is so easy to picture, the oppressive atmosphere is thick throughout the story and provides such a good contrast for everytime our MCs use or encounter magic. Silver and Kass are opposite ends of the scale with their divine and death magic and both are as impressive to watch as the other.
We get some flashbacks to earlier in their relationship and pivotal moments in their story that helps to shape and flesh out the decisions and reactions we see them having in their current situation.
Kass's slow realisation that maybe he doesn't believe in the divine as devoutly as he once did is so well done. The despair and uncertainty you feel when life swerves violently to the side and you realise you're not where you want to be - it was really poignant to read as Kass navigated that.
He cares so deeply for those around him. He just wants to do what's right, keep those he loves safe and healthy. He doesn't realise that he allows his god and duty to sometimes get in the way of that outcome.
Silver is left physically disabled from being captured during the war. She uses a wheelchair to get around and whilst referenced very frequently in the story, it definitely felt (for me, a completely able bodied adult) very natural everytime she talked about manoeuvring her chair or Kass helping her with it. It was never once spoken about or viewed as a negative. It just simply existed as her reality.
Silver is such a badass! The mental health rep we get with her (and Kass tbf) is so complex, so much is touched on and discussed over the two books.
Silver is a master at her necromancy magic and we get to see her use it, how Kass responds to it and the impact the cost of the magic and Kass's disdain for it have on her.
She's smart, she's powerful and she's self aware. She hurts and it's a struggle for her to feel that way and that's so relatable. A really amazingly written FMC.
Silver and Kass's marriage - my god what an amazing treat to have two adults who are realistically doing the best they can to manage their relationship whilst also struggling to deal with their own mental health and daily pressures.
I loved this whole story but the way Adrienne wrote their relationship was the absolute best part for me. To be in love with someone you can no longer find common ground with. To know you're the reason their God is angry with them, yet they chose to stay and resentful you for it - ooft!!
To know that you're unwilling to change the thing about you that causes them such struggles. It's so very well written. I loved their relationship and the way the keep showing up for each other, even if it's grudgingly.
This was a great book with DnD vibes and such well written, relatable and human characters. So glad I picked this up and can't wait to read more of Adrienne's work!
Man I wish I could remember where I saw this book suggested because my goodness I loved this!!
We follow Kass (paladin) and Silver (necromancer) as they attempt to navigate their post wars lives and relationship.
Adrienne has done a fantastic job with these books. The world is so easy to picture, the oppressive atmosphere is thick throughout the story and provides such a good contrast for everytime our MCs use or encounter magic. Silver and Kass are opposite ends of the scale with their divine and death magic and both are as impressive to watch as the other.
We get some flashbacks to earlier in their relationship and pivotal moments in their story that helps to shape and flesh out the decisions and reactions we see them having in their current situation.
Kass's slow realisation that maybe he doesn't believe in the divine as devoutly as he once did is so well done. The despair and uncertainty you feel when life swerves violently to the side and you realise you're not where you want to be - it was really poignant to read as Kass navigated that.
He cares so deeply for those around him. He just wants to do what's right, keep those he loves safe and healthy. He doesn't realise that he allows his god and duty to sometimes get in the way of that outcome.
Silver is left physically disabled from being captured during the war. She uses a wheelchair to get around and whilst referenced very frequently in the story, it definitely felt (for me, a completely able bodied adult) very natural everytime she talked about manoeuvring her chair or Kass helping her with it. It was never once spoken about or viewed as a negative. It just simply existed as her reality.
Silver is such a badass! The mental health rep we get with her (and Kass tbf) is so complex, so much is touched on and discussed over the two books.
Silver is a master at her necromancy magic and we get to see her use it, how Kass responds to it and the impact the cost of the magic and Kass's disdain for it have on her.
She's smart, she's powerful and she's self aware. She hurts and it's a struggle for her to feel that way and that's so relatable. A really amazingly written FMC.
Silver and Kass's marriage - my god what an amazing treat to have two adults who are realistically doing the best they can to manage their relationship whilst also struggling to deal with their own mental health and daily pressures.
I loved this whole story but the way Adrienne wrote their relationship was the absolute best part for me. To be in love with someone you can no longer find common ground with. To know you're the reason their God is angry with them, yet they chose to stay and resentful you for it - ooft!!
To know that you're unwilling to change the thing about you that causes them such struggles. It's so very well written. I loved their relationship and the way the keep showing up for each other, even if it's grudgingly.
This was a great book with DnD vibes and such well written, relatable and human characters. So glad I picked this up and can't wait to read more of Adrienne's work!
August 1, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an early copy of this book in an exchange for my honest review.
DNF at 26%
I thought I would absolutely love this book, devour it in one sitting and give it 5 stars. Sadly, this did not happen. I was just very bored while reading this and felt like some of the scenes were too long. Also there was a lot of talking but not much action happening.
The writing style is quite simple and my main problem is the present tense. I just don't love books that are written in present tense. It takes me out of the story, because I am so used to past tense. The writing is descriptive but I still had a problem picturing the world this story takes place in. The descriptions just went right over my head.
Also, I was very confused on the world building. The paladins wear full plate armor and have swords, but the city guards have guns? And there are trams? I know this is inspired by DND, but the author did not really explained how the modern weapons and transportation worked. Was it powered by electricity or by magic? If it was ever mentioned I just forgot it. I was expecting more of a medieval setting, but this felt more like a Victorian to me.
There is a lot of info dumping about the world and mainly its history. But over a half of it I already forgot, because it wasn't placed well in the story. It didn't feel like a natural way of learning about a new world and it took me out of the story multiple times. I read about a hundred pages of this book and I still know nothing about this world and can't really picture it in my head.
I enjoyed the style of the humor though. It's a bit darker humor than we usually see and it was very refreshing. I especially loved the first few pages where the characters are talking about a mansion with a portal to a demon realm.
I liked the characters of Silver and Kass. Silver is a wheelchair user, I don't know if it is a good representation, but I've never read about someone using a wheelchair (who is also a main character) in a high fantasy. Kass is our titular paladin and is constantly grumpy. I really enjoyed the scenes where he talks with his squires. But it annoyed me how he acted towards Silver. And I know it is supposed to annoy me and that Kass is probably not a typical hero archetype, but I still could not root for him. And in my fantasy, I need to like the characters and root for them, in order to enjoy the book.
I read about hundred pages, and I actually do not have that much to say about the book. I am already forgetting the details and plot, which is not a good sign.
DNF at 26%
I thought I would absolutely love this book, devour it in one sitting and give it 5 stars. Sadly, this did not happen. I was just very bored while reading this and felt like some of the scenes were too long. Also there was a lot of talking but not much action happening.
The writing style is quite simple and my main problem is the present tense. I just don't love books that are written in present tense. It takes me out of the story, because I am so used to past tense. The writing is descriptive but I still had a problem picturing the world this story takes place in. The descriptions just went right over my head.
Also, I was very confused on the world building. The paladins wear full plate armor and have swords, but the city guards have guns? And there are trams? I know this is inspired by DND, but the author did not really explained how the modern weapons and transportation worked. Was it powered by electricity or by magic? If it was ever mentioned I just forgot it. I was expecting more of a medieval setting, but this felt more like a Victorian to me.
There is a lot of info dumping about the world and mainly its history. But over a half of it I already forgot, because it wasn't placed well in the story. It didn't feel like a natural way of learning about a new world and it took me out of the story multiple times. I read about a hundred pages of this book and I still know nothing about this world and can't really picture it in my head.
I enjoyed the style of the humor though. It's a bit darker humor than we usually see and it was very refreshing. I especially loved the first few pages where the characters are talking about a mansion with a portal to a demon realm.
I liked the characters of Silver and Kass. Silver is a wheelchair user, I don't know if it is a good representation, but I've never read about someone using a wheelchair (who is also a main character) in a high fantasy. Kass is our titular paladin and is constantly grumpy. I really enjoyed the scenes where he talks with his squires. But it annoyed me how he acted towards Silver. And I know it is supposed to annoy me and that Kass is probably not a typical hero archetype, but I still could not root for him. And in my fantasy, I need to like the characters and root for them, in order to enjoy the book.
I read about hundred pages, and I actually do not have that much to say about the book. I am already forgetting the details and plot, which is not a good sign.
September 2, 2025
The way this present-tense tale is told was hard for me to adapt to at first, but the personal nature of the developing story quickly drew me past that initial challenge. The characters grow fascinating, though, as we pick up pieces of the story here and there. This is very much a "life in progress" tale, where there is less backstory up front, and we simply join these characters in their daily trials. We only learn why there is tension here or loyalty there as the plot moves on and the characters interact. It's well-told overall, and I came to care for some of these characters more deeply than I expected.
And the representation I finally spotted (and appreciate) is very much part of the background! Nothing explicit or pushy about any of it; just people with differences living their lives. Two of them are central to the story, and a third comes in partway through and remains relevant through the end. Only when I'd nearly finished this novel did I realize that the author is so skilled at including representative characters that I hadn't noticed the effect at all. Just like life at its best, you will meet disabled, non-binary, or neurodiverse people, but if you go in assuming that they have the same rights and needs and individual peculiarities as anyone else you've met, you can have an excellent time. And even make friends with some of them along the way!
With sword-wielding paladins, clerics who heal people by the grace of their gods, mages of various stripes, a gun-toting investigator, and demons coming through planar rifts, there is a LOT to soak up in this story, but I found the human connections to be the very best part of it all. The story was engaging, but the cast of characters (centered around a particular paladin and necromancer, of course) gripped me early on and kept me invested throughout. An unusual blend of time periods, personal trials, and magic both divine and arcane, this book delivered on several levels.
And the representation I finally spotted (and appreciate) is very much part of the background! Nothing explicit or pushy about any of it; just people with differences living their lives. Two of them are central to the story, and a third comes in partway through and remains relevant through the end. Only when I'd nearly finished this novel did I realize that the author is so skilled at including representative characters that I hadn't noticed the effect at all. Just like life at its best, you will meet disabled, non-binary, or neurodiverse people, but if you go in assuming that they have the same rights and needs and individual peculiarities as anyone else you've met, you can have an excellent time. And even make friends with some of them along the way!
With sword-wielding paladins, clerics who heal people by the grace of their gods, mages of various stripes, a gun-toting investigator, and demons coming through planar rifts, there is a LOT to soak up in this story, but I found the human connections to be the very best part of it all. The story was engaging, but the cast of characters (centered around a particular paladin and necromancer, of course) gripped me early on and kept me invested throughout. An unusual blend of time periods, personal trials, and magic both divine and arcane, this book delivered on several levels.
November 29, 2025
One of the more serious fantasy novels I have read, which was refreshing. So many fantasies are concerned with repetitive, clichéd tropes which often undermine the darker themes of war, conflict and mortality. Miller's novel handles themes of conflict, faith, love and deceit with a literary tone not usually seen in fantasy; dry, witty, sharp, the writing flawlessly weaves a quest for truth across a multiverse of invisible beings, demons and deities. The writing itself was flawless, and although there were occasions where I would have liked more detailed descriptions, I cannot fault the plot sequencing or structuring of the story.
This dark fantasy is third person, dual perspective narration, which provided a fuller, richer point of view of the multiverse where the action unfolds. The protagonists are already married, and unconventionally - and, realistically- they are at loggerheads. Their love story is bittersweet: tainted by Kass' devout faith in Five, and Silver's necromancy being in direct opposition to this, it seems there is little hope for their marriage. Their pain was palpable, neither one willing or able to renege on their positions or their past actions.
It was refreshing to not only read an unromantic love story, but also follow a protagonist in a wheelchair. Silver's determination, unwavering resilience, self-assurance, and strong convictions, made for a stunning main character. Kass was an equally complex character, dealing with inner turmoil: remain faithful to his god - Five - or reignite his marriage with Necromancer, Silver. Despite their troubles, the protagonists worked together - not always in harmony, and having those difficult conversations - for the benefit of their world.
A novel of complexities told with a skill not often seen in contemporary fantasy. There was no sensationalism, no rollercoaster of emotions, no gratuitous spice and for that I am grateful.
A stunning novel, which I highly recommend.
This dark fantasy is third person, dual perspective narration, which provided a fuller, richer point of view of the multiverse where the action unfolds. The protagonists are already married, and unconventionally - and, realistically- they are at loggerheads. Their love story is bittersweet: tainted by Kass' devout faith in Five, and Silver's necromancy being in direct opposition to this, it seems there is little hope for their marriage. Their pain was palpable, neither one willing or able to renege on their positions or their past actions.
It was refreshing to not only read an unromantic love story, but also follow a protagonist in a wheelchair. Silver's determination, unwavering resilience, self-assurance, and strong convictions, made for a stunning main character. Kass was an equally complex character, dealing with inner turmoil: remain faithful to his god - Five - or reignite his marriage with Necromancer, Silver. Despite their troubles, the protagonists worked together - not always in harmony, and having those difficult conversations - for the benefit of their world.
A novel of complexities told with a skill not often seen in contemporary fantasy. There was no sensationalism, no rollercoaster of emotions, no gratuitous spice and for that I am grateful.
A stunning novel, which I highly recommend.
November 16, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, author Adrienne Miller and publisher for a copy of this e-ARC.
I would like to start by saying I had a great time reading this book!
*5/5 stars*
"Paladin and Necromancer" by Adrienne Miller is a masterfully crafted fantasy romance that has left me spellbound. This captivating tale boasts a unique magic system, rich world-building, and a cast of diverse and complex characters that leap off the page.
One of the standout aspects of this novel is its thoughtful portrayal of marriage. Miller skillfully depicts the ups and downs of a realistic partnership, where love is tested by sacrifice and adversity. The romance is beautifully woven throughout the narrative, adding depth and nuance to the story.
The characters are multidimensional and relatable, with distinct personalities, motivations, and backgrounds. The diversity of the cast is noteworthy, making the world feel more realistic and immersive. I particularly appreciated how the author explored the characters' differing beliefs and values, showcasing their ability to work together despite their differences.
The world-building is equally impressive, with a vast and intricate landscape that's full of wonder and danger. The rifts, with their varied settings and challenges, added an extra layer of tension and excitement to the story. Miller's exploration of the consequences of war is both poignant and thought-provoking.
The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with intriguing side characters that add to the story's richness. While I was left with some unanswered questions, I'm confident that a re-read will reveal new insights and clarity.
Overall, "Paladin and Necromancer" is a must-read for fans of fantasy romance. Miller's writing is engaging, and her world-building is top-notch. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling and emotionally resonant read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I would like to start by saying I had a great time reading this book!
*5/5 stars*
"Paladin and Necromancer" by Adrienne Miller is a masterfully crafted fantasy romance that has left me spellbound. This captivating tale boasts a unique magic system, rich world-building, and a cast of diverse and complex characters that leap off the page.
One of the standout aspects of this novel is its thoughtful portrayal of marriage. Miller skillfully depicts the ups and downs of a realistic partnership, where love is tested by sacrifice and adversity. The romance is beautifully woven throughout the narrative, adding depth and nuance to the story.
The characters are multidimensional and relatable, with distinct personalities, motivations, and backgrounds. The diversity of the cast is noteworthy, making the world feel more realistic and immersive. I particularly appreciated how the author explored the characters' differing beliefs and values, showcasing their ability to work together despite their differences.
The world-building is equally impressive, with a vast and intricate landscape that's full of wonder and danger. The rifts, with their varied settings and challenges, added an extra layer of tension and excitement to the story. Miller's exploration of the consequences of war is both poignant and thought-provoking.
The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with intriguing side characters that add to the story's richness. While I was left with some unanswered questions, I'm confident that a re-read will reveal new insights and clarity.
Overall, "Paladin and Necromancer" is a must-read for fans of fantasy romance. Miller's writing is engaging, and her world-building is top-notch. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling and emotionally resonant read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews